Initiating Bearer Independent Protocol Sessions Using Access Technology and Location Information

1. A method for operating a user identity module (UIM) that is incorporated in a user equipment (UE) device, the method comprising: receiving first information from the UE device, wherein the first information identifies a radio access technology that the UE device is currently camped on; receiving network location information from the UE device, wherein the network location information identifies a network on which the UE device is currently camped; and opening a channel through the network to a remote agent using an access point name, wherein the access point name is generated using the first information and the network location information.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said opening the channel is performed using a bearer independent protocol (BIP).

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: requesting provisioning information from the remote agent via the channel; receiving the provisioning information from the remote agent via the channel.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network location information includes a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating the access point name includes accessing the access point name from a list of access point names using the first information and the network location information, wherein the list is stored in a memory of the UIM or a memory of the UE device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE device is configured to transmit the network location information to the UE device in response to an execution of a PROVIDE LOCATION INFORMATION command by the UIM.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed while the UE device is roaming away from a home network associated with the UIM.

8. A non-transitory memory medium storing program instructions, wherein the memory medium is readable by a processor included in a user identity module (UIM), wherein the user identity module is configured for incorporation in a user equipment (UE) device, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to implement: receiving first information from the UE device, wherein the first information identifies a radio access technology that the UE device is currently camped on; receiving network location information from the UE device, wherein the network location information identifies a network on which the UE device is currently camped; and opening a channel through the network to a remote agent using an access point name, wherein the access point name is generated using the first information and the network location information.

9. The memory medium of claim 8 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to implement: requesting provisioning information from the remote agent via the channel; receiving the provisioning information from the remote agent via the channel.

10. The memory medium of claim 8 , wherein the network location information includes a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).

11. The memory medium of claim 8 , wherein said generating the access point name includes accessing the access point name from a list of access point names using the first information and the network location information, wherein the list is stored in a memory of the UIM or a memory of the UE device.

12. The memory medium of claim 8 , wherein said opening the channel is performed using a bearer independent protocol (BIP).

13. The memory medium of claim 8 , wherein said network is different from a home network associated with the UIM.

14. The memory medium of claim 8 , wherein the memory medium is incorporated in the UIM.

15. A user identity module (UIM) that is configured for incorporation in a user equipment (UE) device, the UIM comprising: a processor; and memory storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: (a) receive first information from the UE device, wherein the first information identifies a radio access technology that the UE device is currently camped on; (b) receive network location information from the UE device, wherein the network location information identifies a network on which the UE device is currently camped; and (c) open a channel through the network to a remote agent using an access point name, wherein the access point name is generated using the first information and the network location information.

16. The UIM of claim 15 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to: request provisioning information from the remote agent via the channel; and receive the provisioning information from the remote agent via the channel.

17. The UIM of claim 15 , wherein the network location information includes a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).

18. The UIM of claim 15 , wherein said generating the access point name includes accessing the access point name from a list of access point names using the first information and the network location information.

19. The UIM of claim 15 , wherein said opening the channel is performed using a bearer independent protocol (BIP).

20. The UIM of claim 15 , wherein the program instruction are configured so that (a) through (c) are performed while the UE device is roaming away from a home network.